ANMF is aware that the Victorian Department of Health is expecting more than 2000 nursing and midwifery students to miss out on a graduate place in 2026. ANMF is gravely concerned for those students missing out on employment opportunities. This shortsighted decision will also fuel an avoidable nursing and midwifery shortage across Victorian public and private healthcare services in the medium and long-term.
1. I didn’t get a grad year. Does this mean I can’t work as a nurse or midwife?
No. Once you have registered with AHPRA, you are a qualified nurse or midwife. Graduate programs are one pathway, but they are not the only way to begin your career. Many graduates start in health services directly and go on to have successful and fulfilling careers. We acknowledge you will be competing with more than 2000 other nurses and midwives who have also missed out on a graduate program, that is why ANMF members will be campaigning to ensure more graduates are employed by the public and private hospitals.
2. If I missed out in Round 1, what are my chances in Round 2?
Round 2 is typically for positions that weren’t filled, or that have been declined by Round 1 candidates. It’s still competitive, but graduates do secure positions at this stage. ANMF is aware there is 223 positions available for round 2 in a variety of clinical specialties depending on health services. We recommend members check the PMCV website for more information.
3. Can I work in hospital settings without a grad year?
Yes. Whilst our advocacy is ongoing for additional funded graduate places, there are many health service providers that advertise for nursing and midwifery positions in hospital settings and as per question 3, many nurses and midwives over the years have started their career without a graduate year.
4. If I’m an EN and didn’t get a grad year, can I go back to my old EN job?
Yes. Whilst we understand that you are now a qualified registered nurse and would prefer to work as an RN, the NMBA does recognise that you can hold both registration as a registered nurse and an enrolled nurse (concurrent registration). It’s important to recognise and remember there are different registration responsibilities, standards and scope of practice requirements. If you do hold concurrent registration and continue to practice as an EN, to reduce your professional risk, you need to make sure that you are fully aware of and work within the defined scope and standard of each distinct role. You can find further information about RN and EN standards of practice on AHPRA’s website www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
5. Can I use the same preferences in Round 2 or do they have to be different?
The Referee Portal is closed, therefore referee detail changes, late submissions or new referees are not allowed. However, you can upload documentation you wish to provide to support your application. More information can be found at gnmp.pmcv.com.au
6. What’s the point of a RUSON or Fellowship program if it doesn’t lead to a grad job?
We understand how frustrating this is. ANMF lobbied and secured RUSON/M programs to enable smooth transitions for new graduates and reduce transition shock.
Whilst RUSON/M and fellowship positions do not guarantee a graduate position, they provide supported exposure to diverse clinical environments and healthcare settings, and the opportunity to consolidate fundamental nursing and midwifery skills within a health service. So whilst we acknowledge how disappointing this is, your paid employment as a RUSON/M and fellowship student experience does positively contribute to your future career and builds upon your professional experience.
7. Am I disadvantaged or less employable without a grad year?
While a graduate program is an important opportunity that provides structured clinical support and mentoring and ANMF will continue to work to secure more graduate positions – it is not the only option. Many experienced and accomplished nurses and midwives began their career without a graduate year.
8. Almost every job (aged care, pool/bank) says “experience required.” How do I get experience with none?
This is an important question and again, ANMF is working hard to secure additional places and employment for our final year members. However, we know this is a frequent question that arises. Importantly, remember that your clinical placement experience, RUSON experience, EN/AIN, other life experience- this all counts as experience and is part of what you bring to nursing and midwifery.
9. Am I considered an RN and allowed to work as one once I have my AHPRA registration?
Yes. Once you are registered with AHPRA, you are able to practice as a registered nurse.
10. Is agency or permanent employment better?
There isn’t a single “right” choice. Your decision depends on your professional goals, learning style, and flexibility needs.
A practical approach is to make a pros and cons list of agency work versus permanent employment. Another option is to consider working in a facility’s pool or bank. This allows you to remain employed by one organisation while gaining exposure across multiple wards, which can be particularly helpful if you are completing a dual degree or ongoing clinical placements. Seek ANMF advice, and we can assist in considering your options and getting you in touch with the relevant contacts at health services to explore this option further.
Additionally, consider alterative clinical settings and environments such as aged care, community health or private hospitals.
11. How do I build references?
While working casual or agency shifts, take opportunities to build references. If you enjoy a workplace, consider speaking with an ANUM or senior nurse on shift to request a reference. Accumulating multiple references from different workplaces can be very beneficial when applying for future positions.
12. Does not being matched mean I wasn’t good enough?
Absolutely not. The matching process is highly competitive and limited by the number of positions available. The 2026 match was even more competitive than previous years with a high number of graduates forecast to not secure their preferred position. This has happened before, the last time this happened was in the 2000s. Your abilities, skills, and potential as a nurse or midwife are not defined by whether you were matched to a graduate program. Many successful nurses and midwives have started their careers outside of graduate programs.
13. Why weren’t we advised about short numbers/funding before preferencing or before private graduate year programs closed their applications?
We completely understand and share your frustration and disappointment about the lack of timely communication and planning around the 2026 graduate cohort. The final number of funded graduate program positions is determined by the Victorian Department of Health and individual health services. ANMF were made aware of confirmed numbers only a few weeks before the PMCV computer match results were published, and as soon as we were notified we escalated our concerns to senior Government and Department figures and launched our campaign ‘Use Us or Lose Us’. We will continue to strongly advocate for all final year nursing and midwifery students to be gainfully employed.
14. What is the ANMF doing now to support us?
ANMF have two proposals with Government and have held daily discussions in relation to other opportunities. ANMF held our statewide final year N&M student meeting on 18 September with hundreds of student members online. Based on those questions and others that our final year members have sent through we are continuously updating this FAQ as this issue progresses. We also held a rally on the steps of parliament on 23 September, with strong media coverage and reporting. We have written to each head of school at all major universities in Victoria and met with many of them already. We have written to each private sector CEO and chief nurse and also met with them on 24 September to seek their support. Our petition to the Premier and Health Minister now has over 5000 signatures and we have secured a meeting with Department of Health officials and government on strategies and opportunities for graduates moving forward.
15. I feel really disheartened and overwhelmed. Who can I talk to?
The Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV) is an independent peer support service for nurses, midwives, and students. It is independent, confidential and free, staffed by experienced nurses and midwives who provide support for sensitive health and workplace issues. You may self-refer to NMHPV by phone at 03 9415 7551 or by email at admin@nmhp.org.au. The NMHPV intake service will contact you to arrange a time with a clinician. Their office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5pm.
Other supports include:
- Nurse and Midwife Support: a 24/7 national service providing confidential advice and referral at 1800 667 877 or online at nmsupport.org.au
- Lifeline is available for crisis support and suicide prevention at 13 11 14
- Suicide Line can be accessed at suicideline.org.au
- Speak with your GP about a Mental Health Care Plan to access counselling services or check if your workplace offers an Employee Assistance Program.
16. What can I do to support the ANMF’s Use Us or Lose Us campaign?
- Share these FAQs to your student colleagues
- Write a letter to the premier Jacinta Allan via jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au
- Sign our petition via anmfvic.asn.au/gradpetition
- Join your union via anmfvic.asn.au/joinnow
- Share and comment on ANMF’s campaign social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
